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DAY 1 Ypres Salient
We travel from “Plug Street” up the line along the Messines Ridge, where the New Zealand and Australian troops played a crucial role in capturing the ridge. Our ANZAC experience continues with a walk up Hill 60’s moonscape. We visit Polygon Wood where the monument to the 5th Division towers over the fallen and Tyne Cot, where the ANZACS played such an important role in the Battle of Passendale. Our first day finishes with the Last Post Ceremony at the Menen Gate. (D)
Day 2 Artois
Our first stop of the day is Fromelles. Currently, mass graves containing unidentified Imperial and ANZAC soldiers are being excavated. A huge effort is underway to identify the remains. Here we find one of the most inspiring of the Australian memorials – the Digger carrying his mate to safety after his cry, “Don’t forget me, Cobber!” We continue our day exploring the Wellington Tunnels in Arras, a city beneath the city and vastly expanded by the New Zealand Tunneling Company. Experiencing victory and defeat, we follow the push east with the capture of Bapaume and the battle at Bullecourt. We visit many sites around here, including the evocative Digger-memorial. (B)
Day 3 The Somme
Today, we tour the front line on the battlefields of the Somme. Known as the First Day of the Somme, nearly 60,000 Imperial forces were killed on the July 1, 1916. You'll visit the battlefields of Pozieres, the famous Wind Mill site, Mouquet Farm and the monument at Longueval, honouring the New Zealand efforts in capturing Delville Wood. The sheer size of the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing will leave an indelible impression. (B, D)
Day 4 Villers-Bretonneux
We visit Villers-Bretonneux, where the great German push during the Spring Offensive was countered and broken by the Australian and other Commonwealth troops. You’ll see the inspiring Australian National Memorial, honouring all those who died during the war. The Franco-Australian Museum at the Victoria school with the words Never Forget Australia still proudly displayed will not leave you untouched. We continue in the footsteps of the ANZACS via the Memorial Park at Le Hamel. You'll return to Lille early evening around 6pm for your onward journey. (B)
Day 5 Amiens
Today is at leisure. Many will want to relax and rest in preparation for the early start required for ANZAC Day. (B)
Day 6 ANZAC Day
An early start for the Dawn Service which commences at 5 a.m. The Australian War Memorial is the site of the special ANZAC Day dawn service. In front of it lie the graves of over 770 Australian soldiers, as well as those of others from the Commonwealth. After the ceremony, return to the hotel for breakfast and rest before continuing the day towards a late afternoon arrival in Lille. (B)
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